Philips introduces a new MRI scanners helping to achieve ‘helium-free’ MR operations

Philips introduces the first and only fully-sealed 1.5T magnet, helping to achieve ‘helium-free’ MR operations.  As early as 2018, Philips recognized this profligate use of helium in MRI scanners was unsustainable. So the company designed a MRI magnet that not only uses a fraction of the helium than the average conventional scanner but also doesn’t vent it to the atmosphere in the event of a magnet quench. Philips’ BlueSeal Magnet is the industry’s first and still the only fully-sealed 1.5T (Tesla) magnet to be introduced in a commercially available MRI scanner. And progress has come a long way. Philips currently offers an entire family of 70cm bore scanners incorporating BlueSeal magnet technology – MR Ingenia Ambition 1.5T S, MR Ingenia Ambition 1.5T X, and the latest future-proofed, efficiency-enhancing MR 5300. With three MRI offerings that use a mere 0.5% of the helium required for conventional scanners without need for a refill, Philips is actively working to close the gap amid the helium shortage, making alternative, low-helium technologies more readily available across the globe.

What’s truly remarkable is that the BlueSeal Magnet in these scanners requires only 7 liters of liquid helium. The 1,700 liters of helium required for a single conventional magnet could supply more than 230 Philips BlueSeal magnets with the helium they need to produce the same quality diagnostic imaging. And these magnets never require a refill, remaining helium-free in operations for life. If a field loss occurs, the BlueSeal system remains completely sealed, minimizing scanner downtime and eliminating helium sourcing problems. With a global installed base of almost 600 units, it is estimated that Philips BlueSeal-equipped scanners have already saved more than 1 million liters of helium since 2018 [7].

“We won’t have any refilling problems during the machine’s lifetime, and we can forget about the helium,” said Dr. Marίa del Mar Travieso, Head of the Radiology Department at Hospitales San Roque (Spain). “This will save us money and help us be more environmentally friendly.”

“We believe that magnets with helium-free operations will play an important role in the reliable and sustainable operations of hospitals in the future,” commented Prof Jun Hashimoto, Professor and Chairperson, Department of Radiology, Tokai University School of Medicine (Japan).

Delivering diagnoses to more patients in more settings

Helium may be one of the most lightweight elements on earth, but a Philips BlueSeal Magnet is 900 kg lighter than traditional MRI systems once the equipment and vent pipe required to manage the helium are stripped away [8]. That weight advantage gives hospitals greater flexibility in siting an MRI scanner with BlueSeal magnet technology in terms of reduced floor loading and no requirement for a vent pipe. BlueSeal Magnet’s minimal use of helium in manufacture, zero helium cost in operations, lower weight, and simpler installation advantages might help the world’s scarce helium resources to go further and last longer. Coupled with other MR innovations, such as the Philips SmartSpeed acceleration engine – which enables scanning up to 3 times faster and reduces power consumption by up to 53% per patient scan [9] – and patient-centric workflow solutions, it means the excellent diagnostic performance of MRI can be made available to more patients in more settings, furthering Philips’ commitment to improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation.

Philips will showcase its latest in MR innovations at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting (November 27 – December 1, Chicago, USA). On Monday, Nov. 28 at 7:00AM – 8:00AM CST, Kees Wesdorp, Chief Business Leader of Precision Diagnosis at Philips will facilitate a panel session during a virtual symposium to discuss “Decarbonizing radiology,” featuring leading experts from around the world discussing mandates for sustainable, responsible radiology best practices. RSNA attendees can visit Philips at RSNA 2022 to register for the symposia session and to learn more about the company’s latest smart integrated diagnostic systems and connected workflows helping to advance precision diagnosis and treatment. Join Philips in person in booth #6730 at RSNA, or virtually via the Philips interactive online radiology experience and follow @PhilipsLiveFrom for #RSNA22 updates throughout the event.

[1] Distribution of helium consumption worldwide as of 2021, by end use. https://www.statista.com/statistics/729995/helium-consumption-distribution-by-end-use-worldwide/
[2] Cincinnati Children’s, December 11, 2019: https://blog.cincinnatichildrens.org/radiology/what-is-a-quench-as-it-relates-to-an-mri-magnet/
[3] Magnetic Resonance, Chapter 21, Facts and Figures. https://www.magnetic-resonance.org/ch/21-01.html
[4] Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/video/185602/process-elements-Earth-space-atmosphere-release-structure
[5] University of Southern California Dana and David Dornsife Cognitive Neuroimaging Center Safety Manual, 2015: https://dornsife.usc.edu/assets/sites/868/docs/SafetyManual.pdf
[6] U. S. Imaging Services Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Modality (X-ray, Mammography, Nuclear Medicine Scans, Ultrasound, MRI Scans), By End-use (Hospitals, Diagnostic Imaging Centers), And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2030.
[7] Total helium saved compared to conventional, helium-cooled scanners across both production and operations since 2018 = 1,038,361, based on LV supply 2022
[8] Compared to Philips earlier (non-BlueSeal) Ingenia 1.5T ZBO magnet.
[9] Applicable to MR 5300 and Ambition S. Philips SmartSpeed power consumption versus Philips SENSE based scanning. Based on COCIR and in-house simulated environment. Results can very based on site conditions